Indians Prospect Insider

The Akron Aeros continued their improbable run at a title. You could make a case that this team had the least amount of talent as any to start the season. At the end of the year, they had the best record of any team in the system. After falling behind two games to none in the first series, they ran off five games in a row, and are now one game away from the Eastern League Title. Tune in after the jump to see Wednesday Night's Akron action...

Jim Pete posted his High-A Carolina notebook earlier today with some stuff on the top prospects there, and Tony goes a step or two deeper in the second piece of his six-part series recapping all six of the Indians' stateside affiliates. In Tony's review of the Carolina Mudcats, he sat down with the Indians front office this week and discussed their season, the strides made by several of the players in the field and on the mound, and how encouraged they are about some of the showings in Carolina.

This week, Jim Pete takes a different approach as to what he looks at for his year-ending piece. Sure, he could do a year-in-review, but who really cares about wins and losses in minor league baseball? What people care about are the prospects...so here's part one in a countdown of the top 12 Carolina Mudcats.

The Eastern League Championship Series kicked off Tuesday, and the Aeros were able to take the early advantage thanks to a stellar outing from starting pitcher Paolo Espino. Also, Tyler Holt comes up big with some key hits. All this and more as IPI's Steve Orbanek takes you Around the Farm.

Akron starter Paolo Espino combined with two relievers for a three-hit shutout Tuesday night, as the Aeros claimed a 3-0 victory over the Trenton Thunder in the first game of the Eastern League Finals at Canal Park. With the win, the Aeros (82-59, 4-2) take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Akron had lost the first two games of the previous series against the Bowie Baysox.

Another day, another loss. That's what it has felt like of late with the Indians as you almost expect them to lose each night. Well, that's what happened once again on Tuesday night in Arlington as the Indians lost 6-4 to the Rangers. Jim Piascik steps in and provides his thoughts on another loss for the Tribe.

Despite losing the first two games of their best-of-five series against the Bowie Baysox, your Akron Aeros roared back by winning three straight do-or-die games at Canal Park to win their series and move on to the Eastern League Championship Series against the Trenton Thunder. Before moving on, take a look back at how the Aeros advanced with Jim Piascik and Launching Off With The Aeros, your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about the Akron Aeros.

The Indians could muster little in the way of offense and lose 7-2 to the Twins last night, and the loss drops them into a tie with the Twins for last place in the American League Central. Justin Masterson started out incredibly well, but unraveled, while the Tribe took the series loss in their four-game set with the Twins. Adam McGavin shares his thoughts on the game...

Lake County's season ended, but the offense was still productive. How productive? Well, some old familiar faces showed up once again to top Lake County's solo shot in ATF as they head on to Carolina. One was a player that was expected to be here a lot. Another one was a player that emerged as the year progressed. The final guy has some impressive power potential, but is heading back to Carolina where he struggled mightily this year. Find out who...after the jump...

The Lake County Captains’ 2012 season came to a close as they fell 13-6 to the Fort Wayne TinCaps in the third game of the Midwest League Division championship on Monday. Right-hander Cody Anderson (4-7, 3.20) received the nod to start for the Captains to counter Fort Wayne righty James Needy (1-0, 3.60).

Triple-A Columbus missed the playoffs for the first time in two years, but they still had a winning record at 75-69 and had several bright spots from a player development standpoint. In the first piece of a six-part series recapping all six of the Indians' stateside affiliates, Tony recently sat down with the Indians front office and discussed Columbus' season, some of the promising developments made by several players, and some players that could be in the Major League mix next season.

Another minor league season has wrapped up and summer is turning into fall here at the IPI. Once Akron and Lake County end their playoff run the 2012 season will officially end, but Tony explains how there is no offseason for a site that covers the Cleveland Indians from the big leagues to the minors. He provides an update on all of the activities that the IPI will be involved in this fall and winter, and the tons of coverage that is to come this offseason.

The Indians battled on Sunday and actually played one of their better games offensively in awhile, but it was not enough as Justin Mourneau deposited a Vinnie Pestano pitch into the seats in the bottom of the ninth inning for an 8-7 walkoff victory for the Twins. Kevin Dean shares his thoughts on Sunday's game and more...

What a night for the Indians' organization. The Akron Aeros won their game and series, and will head to the Eastern League Championship game on Tuesday against Trenton. Lake County won their game to tie their series at one, with the elimination game set for Monday night at Classic Park. While the Tribe is laying an egg, their future isn't. Take a look at what this organization has to offer...after the jump...

Bryson Myles had three hits and Jordan Smith knocked in a pair as The Lake County Captains defeated the Fort Wayne Tincaps by a final of 7-4 at Classic Park. Lake County scored five times in the second inning. Jose Ramirez singled to give the Captains a 3-1 lead. Later in the inning, Jordan Smith lined a triple down the right field and two runners scored and the lead was 5-1. Lake County evens the Eastern Division Championship Series at one game apiece.

In his weekly Indians notebook, Tony provides an update on the return of Carlos Carrasco, how he has looked, and what the plan may be for him next year. He also chimes in with his thoughts on the recent callups from the minors and makes sense of the players that were called up and those that were not, he talks about Chris Perez being out of line, he looks at the underwhelming season of Casey Kotchman, and more.

You have to love the smell of playoff baseball, don't you? The Akron Aeros went down 2-0, but their "Never-Say-Die" mentality continued, as they tied the series at two games apiece, and head to their round one elimination game on Sunday at 6:00. Lake County, who swept their first series, lost game one of round two, and head to their first must-win game of the playoffs, also at 6:00. Who topped ATF? How about the best player in the system...

The Indians offense could not get anything rolling on Saturday as the Tribe was held in check by Minnesota and Twins starter Cole De Vires, getting shutout 3-0. The loss puts Cleveland at a season low 21 games below the .500 mark. Cleveland starter Zach McAllister struggled for his third straight outing, going just three innings giving up two earned runs on three hits.

Yeison Asencio had two RBI's and the go-ahead single in the eighth inning as The Fort Wayne Tincaps defeated the Lake County Captains 4-3 in Parkview Field. Travis Jankowski led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a double to left field and then was sacrificed to third base. With the runner on third and one out, Asencio singled home the winning run.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!